Factors for Low Routine Immunization Performance; A Community Based Cross Sectional Study in Dessie Town, South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia, 2014

Immunization is one of the most cost effective public health interventions in preventing and eradicating communicable diseases. In spite of increase in global immunization coverage, many children around the world especially in developing countries still missing unvaccinated. In 2013, 21.8 million children of under one year of age did not receive DPT3 vaccine worldwide and 75% of them live just in 15countries, of which Ethiopian rank 4th. The aim of this study was to identify factors influencing on low immunization among 12-23 month old children in Dessie Town, Amhara, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional community based survey was conducted. We have used Epi info Version 7 for entry and analyzed by SPSS 20 version statistical software. A total of 724 mothers of children aged between 12-23 months old were interviewed from 10 kebeles, with the response rate of 100%. The mean age of the mother and children were 29.24+ 5.2 SD (range 18 to 51) and 1.4 with SD 0.69 respectively. According to Sex wise distribution of children 241(54.7%) and 193(58.1%) of them were males children in rural and urban setting respectively. Overall 472(65.2%) children finished all recommended doses while 130(17.9%) never get vaccine. On logistic regression analysis, Attained ANC follow-up, knowledge of mother about vaccine, Education status of mother, place of delivery and family size were found predictor of full immunization. The study revealed that there is low immunization coverage among children aged 12-23 months in the study area of Dessie Town. Good access to health facilities or health services does not indicate uptake of immunization services. The reasons are complex and multifaceted but in general relate to the health services' insufficient understanding of and attention to their clients' needs. It is recommended that strength the local specific health service to be adequate and quality service with comprehensive strategy to optimize children immunization coverage.